Canadian military units take on ceremonial duties as the Queen’s Guard in London

On Sunday, June 18, a company of 80 personnel from the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and 35 members of the Royal Canadian Artillery Band will assume ceremonial duties as the Queen’s Guard in London, England, the Canadian Forces says. That will continue until July 3.

The Queen’s Guard are soldiers charged with guarding the official royal residences in the UK. These include Buckingham Palace, St. James’s Palace, Windsor Castle, and the Tower of London.

The soldiers participating in the public duties act as sentries during the day and night.

More details from the Canadian Forces:

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II granted Canada the opportunity to mount public duties in London and Windsor for 2017. Units from the British Empire and the Commonwealth have periodically mounted the King’s Guard/Queen’s Guard beginning in September 1916 when Canada provided soldiers from the 117th (Eastern Townships) Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, to undertake public duties.

Canada, as a trusted member of the Commonwealth, is being recognized for its 150th anniversary of Confederation by being selected to mount the Queen’s Guard.